MRI for the Claustrophobic

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by BlueOwl

Ugh, for those of us who are uncomfortable in the MRI tube, there is little that can alleviate our anxiety. I have had three breast MRI's and it is torture for me. First, your breasts are hanging down into coils ( woman is on her stomach), I.V. for contrast (ouchy), and then the NOISE!! I usually ask if we can stop for a few minutes so that I can come out of the tube...naturally, they say no. I can understand why,, but I still ask. I wish that my husband, or a friend could be able to talk me through it on a two way speaker. That would help me. It is such a valuable diagnostic tool. But so very unpleasant for many of us. Just reading the posts here have left me feeling anxious!!

Breast MRI is especially uncomfortable because you are lying prone (on your stomach). They can't stop the exam because the important part of MRI for the breast is how your breast enhances over time. If you stopped the machine, there would be no information for that period of time and the entire exam would be worthless. The exam itself takes 45 min to an hour on a standard 1.5 Tesla machine. You can be put in feet first so your head is hanging out. The exam is faster on a 3T machine so finding a better machine will make things a little better. Open Bore MRI is NOT an option for Breast MRI, however.

[Honeykiss1974]

YAY! I had the open bore MRI and made it through. I will admit that at first, I panicked and started crying (lol) but after I calmed down it was a breeze. I think once I got in and realized that I would still see the room from all sides, I was ok.

Fear - 0
Me - 1

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

YAY! I had the open bore MRI and made it through. I will admit that at first, I panicked and started crying (lol) but after I calmed down it was a breeze. I think once I got in and realized that I would still see the room from all sides, I was ok.

Fear - 0
Me - 1

Yay!! Was it open or open bore? Isn't it SUCH a relief knowing it's over?

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Yay!! Was it open or open bore? Isn't it SUCH a relief knowing it's over?

It was an open mri. I seriously think I couldn't tolerate open bore either. lol I"m just happy its over and done.

Afterwards the tech and I were chatting and she told me that if I ever needed an MRI above the chest, you have to go in head first so she recommended sedation if that ever happened. lol I agree!

[PM_Mama00]

After all that, they still can't see my ovaries! This is so frustrating! No rheumatoid, no lupis, just reallllly high SED level, anemia, and low protein. Still pain. Still problems. Next step surgical consultation.